A tip led to the arrest of a man accused of exploiting vulnerable adults 24 hours after he had been posted on a Mississippi “Most Wanted List.”

Within 24 hours of Adams County Sheriff’s Office posting the list on Monday, Eddie Wayne Jones, 57, of Natchez, was recognized and apprehended. Jones has been wanted for the exploitation of a vulnerable person.

“(Jones) has a long history of exploiting vulnerable adults for money. His MO is he agrees to complete tasks for the elderly, such as painting or home repair and would get the person to front him the money and not complete the task,” said Lt. Ruston Cavin.

Natchez Police Department Commander Jerry Ford said a civilian recognized Jones at a local hardware store as one of Adams County’s Most Wanted based on recent news reports.

“They said they thought someone wanted might be in their store. When police got there, (Jones) was already gone, and officers started looking for the vehicle,” Ford said.

Police spotted Jones’ vehicle and pursued him at low speeds from Natchez Walmart to Wood Avenue.

Ford said when Jones did stop, he did not resist.

Adams County Sheriff Travis Patten said tips have been “rolling in” since the “Most Wanted” report and that he expects other arrests to soon follow.

“They called law enforcement because a tipster first walked into the store and said, ‘That’s the guy from the newspaper,’” Patten said, expressing his gratitude to those who saw the report and called with information. Patten added Jones is wanted for indictments in Franklin County as well.